Question

The length of a rectangle is 4 m shorter than its width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 18 m, find its length and width.

Answer 1

2(x - 4) + 2x = 18, where x represents the width.

2x - 8 + 2x = 18 (Distribute 2)

4x - 8 = 18 (Add like terms)

4x = 26 (Add 8 to both sides)

x = 6.5 (Divide 4 from both sides)

Length = x - 4 (Length is 4 less m than Width [x - 4])

6.5 - 4 = 2.5 (Substitue in x)

Length = 2.5

The length is 2.5 meters and the width is 6.5 meters.

You can check by adding 2.5 + 2.5 + 6.5 + 6.5 = 18.